Oval stitch pattern for a filled blanket

ABSTRACT

A filled blanket includes a shell having a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an outer periphery. The first and second fabric layers are coupled together proximate the outer periphery. Fill material is disposed between the first and second fabric layers. A plurality of stitch members are disposed at predetermined positions on the shell. Each stitch member is formed of at least one thread alternately woven between the first and second fabric layers to couple the first and second fabric layers. A periphery of each stitch member forms a generally oval shape on the first and second fabric layers. A portion of the fill material is disposed within the periphery of each stitch member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/258,346, filed on Nov. 5, 2009, titled “Oval StitchPattern for Filled Blanket,” the entire contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a stitchpattern for filled blankets, and more particularly, to an oval stitchpattern for filled blankets.

Filled blankets, such as comforters, duvets, quilts, and the like, areoften manufactured having various stitching designs or patterns forconnecting the top and bottom layers of the shell together and/orcreating divisions of fill material. Such conventional filled blanketshave the disadvantage that the fill material tends to migrate duringwashing as and when the stitching becomes unraveled. It is thereforedesirable to provide a filled blanket with a stitching pattern thatprevents the fill material migration but is still aesthetically pleasingand simple to manufacture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, an embodiment of the present invention comprises afilled blanket including a shell having a first fabric layer, a secondfabric layer, and an outer periphery. The first and second fabric layersare coupled together proximate the outer periphery. Fill material isdisposed between the first and second fabric layers. A plurality ofstitch members are disposed at predetermined positions on the shell.Each stitch member is formed of at least one thread alternately wovenbetween the first and second fabric layers to couple the first andsecond fabric layers. A periphery of each stitch member forms agenerally oval shape on the first and second fabric layers. A portion ofthe fill material is disposed within the periphery of each stitchmember.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustration, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which ispresently preferred. It should be understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a filled blanket in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the filled blanketof FIG. 1 taken through a stitch member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and“upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made.The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and awayfrom, respectively, the geometric center of the apparatus and designatedparts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words,derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, thewords “a” and “an”, as used in the claims and in the correspondingportions of the specification, mean “at least one.”

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numeralsindicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 apreferred embodiment of a filled blanket 10. The filled blanket 10includes a shell 12 formed by a first fabric layer 14 and a secondfabric layer 16. The first and second fabric layers 14, 16 arepreferably made from 100% polyester, but may also be made from cotton,silk, polyester blends, or the like. The first and second fabric layers14, 16 are coupled to one another, preferably around an outer periphery12 a of the shell 12. The first and second fabric layers 14, 16 maytherefore be two separate fabric pieces that are sewn together, may beone fabric piece folded over, or the like. A fill material 18 isdisposed within the shell 12 between the first fabric layer 14 and thesecond fabric layer 16. The fill material 18 is preferably comprised of100% polyester fibers, but other fill materials may be used. In thepreferred embodiment, the blanket 10 includes a peripheral stitchpattern 11 that couples the first and second fabric layers 14, 16together. The peripheral stitch pattern 11 is preferably locatedapproximately one inch (in.) from the periphery 12 a of the shell 12,but could be at some other distance if desired.

A plurality of spaced apart stitch members 20 are disposed atpredetermined locations on the shell 12. A periphery of each stitchmember 20 preferably forms a generally oval shape in plan view (whenviewed from either the top or bottom side of the shell 12). Each stitchmember 20 is formed by one or more threads 22 alternately woven betweenthe first and second fabric layers 14, 16, thereby coupling the firstand second fabric layers 14, 16 together at the location of the stitchmember 20 and trapping a portion of the fill material 18 within aperiphery of the oval-shaped stitch member 20. The stitching of thethreads 22 is preferably locked in place by overlapping a portion of thestitching. Thus, the threads 22 can provide enhanced security duringwashing and will prevent the fill material 18 from migrating.

Each stitch member 20 preferably has a length dimension L ofapproximately three inches and a width dimension W of approximately oneinch. In a preferred embodiment, the stitch members 20 form rows acrossthe shell 12. For example, beginning from a selected corner C of theblanket 10, the closest stitch member 20 is preferably located ahorizontal distance D₁ from the peripheral stitch 11 of about seveninches and a distance D₂ from the peripheral stitch 11 of about six andone half inches. Stitch members 20 in the same row are spaced a distanceD₃ of about twelve inches apart from one another. Subsequent rows ofstitch members 20 are preferably spaced apart a distance D₄ of abouttwelve inches. Other distances between stitch members 20 may be employedif desired.

The stitch members 20 in adjacent rows may be vertically aligned withone another. Preferably, however, the stitch members 20 in adjacent rowsare vertically offset from one another, as shown in FIG. 1. For example,a stitch member 20 in the second row may be located at a midpointbetween two stitch members 20 in the first row.

The blanket 10 may have any dimensions as desired, such as conventionaltwin, queen/full, and king sizes, or other non-conventional dimensions.The number of stitch members 20 of the blanket therefore may varydepending the blanket 10 dimensions and the desired spacing of thestitch members 20 from the periphery 12 a and each other. The blanket 10is preferably reversible, such that either the first fabric layer 14 orthe second fabric layer 16 may be presented as the top of the blanket10. The first and second fabric layers 14, 16 therefore both preferablyinclude ornamental and/or color designs, which may be the same ordifferent between the first and second fabric layers 14, 16. Othermodifications as conventionally known may also be made to the blanket10.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A filled blanket comprising: (a) a shell including a first fabriclayer, a second fabric layer, and an outer periphery, the first andsecond fabric layers being coupled together proximate the outerperiphery; (b) fill material disposed between the first and secondfabric layers; and (c) a plurality of stitch members disposed atpredetermined positions on the shell, each stitch member being formed ofat least one thread alternately woven between the first and secondfabric layers to couple the first and second fabric layers, a peripheryof each stitch member forming a generally oval shape on the first andsecond fabric layers, a portion of the fill material being disposedwithin the periphery of each stitch member.
 2. The filled blanket ofclaim 1, wherein the first fabric layer is formed from a first fabricpiece and the second layer is formed from a second fabric piece, thefirst and second fabric pieces being different.
 3. The filled blanket ofclaim 2, wherein a peripheral stitch spaced approximately one inch fromthe outer periphery of the shell couples the first and second fabricpieces together, the peripheral stitch being formed of at least onethread alternately woven between the first and second fabric pieces. 4.The filled blanket of claim 3, wherein each stitch member is spacedapart from the peripheral stitch by about six and one half inches. 5.The filled blanket of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stitch membersform a plurality of rows on the shell.
 6. The filled blanket of claim 5,wherein adjacent stitch members in a row are spaced apart byapproximately twelve inches.
 7. The filled blanket of claim 5, whereinadjacent rows are spaced apart by approximately 12 inches.
 8. The filledblanket of claim 1, wherein the at least one thread in each stitchmember overlaps itself along a portion of the periphery of therespective stitch member.
 9. The filled blanket of claim 1, wherein thefirst fabric layer includes a first ornamental design and the secondfabric layer includes a second ornamental design, the first and secondornamental designs being different.